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Project Background.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is proposing to extend Runway 7R/25L at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).  The purpose of the proposed Runway 7R/25L Extension Project is to reduce airfield congestion and aircraft taxi delays around the passenger terminal area and runway occupancy time associated with aircraft landing on Runway 7R at ANC.  DOT&PF is initiating an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the proposed runway extension in compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Purpose and Need.

Under existing conditions, the majority of cargo aircraft landing on Runway 7R are unable to slow sufficiently in order to exit on Taxiway G, which is the preferred route to Taxiway R.  Instead, planes must continue traveling east on the runway to Taxiway E, D or C. Cargo planes that exit onto Taxiway E, D or C must taxi adjacent to the passenger terminal on Taxiway K in order to reach Taxiway R, which leads to the cargo plane parking at the North Airpark.  This travel pattern adds additional traffic to the already congested passenger terminal area and the heavily used Taxiway K/R intersection where aircraft queue for takeoff on Runway 14/32, resulting in delays and congestion.

In order to reduce airfield congestion and aircraft taxi delays around the passenger terminal area, and runway occupancy time of cargo planes landing on Runway 7R, DOT&PF is proposing to extend Runway 7R to the west for landings, realign Taxiway G to create an acute angled exit taxiway, and extend Taxiway R to intersect with Runway 7R.  The proposed action would reduce runway occupancy time and expedite the movement of cargo aircraft away from the mix of aircraft operations around the passenger terminal area, thereby reducing airfield congestion.  The proposed runway extension and taxiway modifications will enable essentially all cargo airplanes to exit Runway 7R at either Taxiway G or Taxiway R during all weather conditions.  As a result, planes could more directly access the cargo aircraft parking at the North Airpark complex via Taxiways R or G.  In addition, the realignment of Taxiway G will increase efficiency and reduce runway occupancy time by allowing passenger planes to maintain higher speeds when exiting Runway 7R.  The extension of Taxiway R to Runway 7R would also allow planes to easily access Taxiway R without adding to the congestion along Taxiway K.  

Project Alternatives.

DOT&PF is currently examining two project alternatives, although more alternatives could arise during project scoping based on public and agency comments.  These alternatives include extending Runway 7R/25L 1,500 feet to the west for landings (Alternative 1) and the No Action Alternative.  The build alternative would include Taxiway R and Taxiway G improvements, lighting, navigation, weather equipment relocations, and easement actions. Early in the environmental process, an 1,800 foot extension was considered as a project alternative. This alternative has now been dismissed from further consideration in the Environmental Assessment.

For more information on Project Alternatives Click Here.